Scientists Fly a Drone to Collect Whale Snot

July 10, 2017 - Scientists used a drone for a very unusual scientific mission—collecting whale snot. In Frederick Sound, Alaska, a specifically designed drone called the “snot-bot” captured DNA from a humpback whale and filmed it live for the National Geographic TV special Earth Live. When scientists spotted a whale about the surface, they launched the drone. When it shot air from its blowhole, the drone flew through the resulting spray, collecting phlegm on its attached petri dishes. The snot samples will give scientists a non-invasive way to study the whale’s DNA.

Scientists Fly a Drone to Collect Whale Snot

July 10, 2017 - Scientists used a drone for a very unusual scientific mission—collecting whale snot. In Frederick Sound, Alaska, a specifically designed drone called the “snot-bot” captured DNA from a humpback whale and filmed it live for the National Geographic TV special Earth Live. When scientists spotted a whale about the surface, they launched the drone. When it shot air from its blowhole, the drone flew through the resulting spray, collecting phlegm on its attached petri dishes. The snot samples will give scientists a non-invasive way to study the whale’s DNA.